Technologies

ModRetro Chromatic Review: The Perfect Game Boy Restomod

ModRetro went in a dramatically different direction with this Game Boy re-creation, and it succeeds in capturing the original’s charm.

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Written by Imad Khan

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ModRetro Chromatic Review

Pros

Beautiful screen
Sturdy construction
Vibrant design and colors

Cons

Batteries
Delicate paint job
Price
Mono sound

Lots of brands attempt to market nostalgia, but few succeed in capturing its warm essence. From hot pink flip phones to guitar amp-inspired Bluetooth speakers, these retro callbacks have the sheen of decades prior but are nothing more than reskinned modern tech. The ModRetro Chromatic, a modern Game Boy from Oculus Rift inventor and co-founder of defense company Anduril Industries Palmer Luckey, however, makes deliberate old-school compromises. Mainly, it uses less pixel-dense LCD displays to elicit emotions from yesteryear. It’s these forced compromises that help the Chromatic stand out even if, on paper, it doesn’t have all the most cutting-edge tech.

The result is a super-premium, slightly hindered Game Boy clone that feels like what Nintendo would have made if cost weren’t an issue. It even includes a copy of Tetris, like the original Game Boy did in 1989, a nice touch by ModRetro. The Chromatic’s high-end materials and features do come at a high price, though: $200, which is substantially higher than the Game Boy Color’s MSRP of $80 back in 1998 — about $160 adjusted for inflation. For the gamer who appreciates high-quality bespoke hardware and a commitment to authenticity, however, the price is well worth it.

Big chunky pixels

The most standout feature on the ModRetro Chromatic is its screen. It’s a 160×144, 2.56-inch IPS LCD display. If that resolution and size seem small, that’s because they are. Unlike modern displays, which have resolutions so high that you can’t even make out the individual blocks, ModRetro keeps things chunky.

This choice allows ModRetro to re-create that original Game Boy experience. Back then, cheap consumer displays weren’t as advanced and had pixels that were simply larger and more visible. For games that used sprites, like Pokemon or Wario Land 3, the pixel layout was a perfect grid to lay art assets on. It was a limitation of the time that game creators used as a canvas.

Modern emulation devices, including emulator apps you can install on your phone, can simply upscale all the in-game assets to make the image look super sharp. This is an approach that 2021’s Analogue Pocket used. When I heard that ModRetro was going to produce a device with big, blocky pixels, I was left perplexed. I believed that Analogue’s approach was the most sound. But after using the Chromatic, I realized there’s a charm to keeping things old school.

In my roughly 20 hours of Pokemon Crystal and Tetris gameplay over the past few months, I was slowly won over to the charms of the Chromatic’s screen. The lower resolution is what Pokemon was meant to look like. Sure, the Analogue Pocket, as well as a whole host of other emulation devices, can mimic the retro grid of the original Game Boy using filters, but it’s not the same. You can tell it’s software making the pixels look chunky.

In terms of colors, the IPS display ModRetro has sourced for the Chromatic is excellent. Visuals pop, and the overall presentation is clean without any smearing. The only way it could have been better is if ModRetro had opted for an OLED display. The glass atop the display is also of remarkable quality, using Sapphire crystal glass. Sapphire is a high-quality and expensive material known for its durability and transparency. It’s most often found on the faces of high-end watches and camera lenses.

The Chromatic captures in my mind the rose-tinted memories I had of playing my Game Boy Color on long road trips back when I was in elementary school. It’s something that the Analogue Pocket couldn’t do. Although the Pocket does have a Nintendo Switch-like dock and lets me play games on my giant television, a novelty I very much enjoy.

The Chromatic feels substantial

There’s been a long-running meme about the indestructible nature of the Nokia 3310, a beloved classic cellphone from the year 2000. It was made with chunky plastic and could survive just about any drop. The original Game Boy and Game Boy Color had that same design philosophy in mind, with one even surviving the Gulf War. The minimalist iPhone style hadn’t yet entered mass-market electronic design.

The ModRetro Chromatic adopts the ’80s and ’90s chunky design philosophy and opts for magnesium alloy instead of plastic, which offers both durability and heft. The three AA batteries inside also add to the weight and feel, but bring back ’90s handheld annoyances. A set of AA batteries lasts about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the screen’s brightness. As someone who loves the Game Boy Color, one thing I don’t miss is looking under seat cushions for batteries.

After some delay, the rechargeable battery pack is now available for $30.

Despite the shortcomings of AA batteries, as I mentioned previously, the Chromatic feels like what Nintendo would have made if costs weren’t a concern. It’s something I love about it. So rarely do we see electronics leaning into absurdity with little worry about cost. The expenditure in developing the display is something Luckey spoke of on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

It is.I spent a ton of money developing a custom display that is accurate all the way to the subpixel level, which is critical given how subpixel-aware good art of the time had to be.The panel isn’t even standard RGB, we used custom color filters to mimick the GBC LCD.

— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) June 5, 2024

Even though there’s a good heft to the Chromatic, there didn’t seem to be any room for stereo speakers. Regrettably, there’s just a single speaker at the bottom of the device. A large part of the Game Boy library actually does support stereo sound, so headphones will be required to get the full sonic experience. There’s no Bluetooth either, so you’ll need to stick to wired cans.

Vibrant but delicate paint job

The ModRetro Chromatic is almost the antithesis of the Analogue Pocket. It opts for metals over plastics. It sports a lower-res screen over one that’s literally 14 times more dense. And instead of black or white, it gives consumers a wide range of color options, all with wonderful flourishes to give each unit a distinct identity. A few weeks back, all colors, except the muted GameStop-exclusive gray were sold out. Now, all colors are back in stock, including a new cloud colorway, which is white with purple accents.

(Note: Analogue has done limited edition re-releases of the Pocket in a wide range of colors, including ones inspired by the original Game Boy Color and Game Boy Pocket lineups, as well as a $500 aluminum variant.)

Our first-edition review unit in yellow, which ModRetro calls Volt, has red face buttons and brown and beige accents in the corners, reminding me of the earth tones present in homes from the 1970s. The ModRetro Chromatic is as much a plaything as it is a display piece.

Unfortunately, ModRetro didn’t spray a clear coat over the Chromatic’s luscious paint job. Sure, it gives the Chromatic a satisfying matte texture, but it makes the paint very delicate. Even with my careful use, I’ve already marred it with two small nicks, revealing the bare metal underneath. It makes me scared to take the Chromatic out of my house, which defeats the purpose of handheld gaming.

A worthy Game Boy revival at a high price

The ModRetro Chromatic’s gorgeous screen, magnesium build, stand-out paint job and sapphire crystal come at a $200 price. Well, at the time of this review, it was $200. Now, if you want a Chromatic with sapphire crystal, it’ll cost $300. Thankfully, there’s still a $200 option fitted with Gorilla Glass, meaning it’s not as strong but is luckily still scratch resistant. Either way, that’s a lot to pay for an electronic that can only play games from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. Well, ModRetro is publishing newer Game Boy games, and companies like Incube8 Games, Bitmap Soft, and Mega Cat Studios are also releasing newer as well as homebrew titles on classic cartridges.

For $200, you could get a Nintendo Switch Lite and gain access to a massive library of modern titles as well as older games via the Nintendo Switch Online service. There’s also a slew of emulation devices filling up Amazon, AliExpress and TikTok Shop that offer thousands of old-school preloaded Game Boy titles of legally dubious origin for less than $50.

Here’s the thing: Emulation can’t beat the original. Even on the newly released Nintendo Switch 2, game emulation of older content still introduces input lag, which is the amount of time it takes for a button press to show up on screen. For hard-core gamers, this is suboptimal. Only when the original code is running through real circuits and transistors does it deliver an authentic experience.

If you’re the type that doesn’t care about authenticity and a true-to-form gaming experience, well, you likely aren’t reading this review. For this person, one of those emulation handhelds will suffice. There are dedicated sites that review the sea of retro gaming handhelds coming out of China, seemingly on a bi-weekly basis.

But if you’re the person who wants the satisfying snap of docking in an old-school Game Boy cartridge and sinking into the corner cushions of your couch with a pouch of Capri Sun resting on your chest, there really isn’t a much better experience than what the ModRetro Chromatic offers.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Feb. 18, #513

Here are hints and the answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for Feb. 18, No. 513.

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition has a fun yellow category that might just start you singing. If you’re struggling with today’s puzzle but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It doesn’t appear in the NYT Games app, but it does in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: I don’t care if I never get back.

Green group hint: Get that gold medal.

Blue group hint: Hoops superstar.

Purple group hint: Not front, but…

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: Heard in «Take Me Out to the Ball Game.»

Green group: Olympic snowboarding events.

Blue group: Vince Carter, informally.

Purple group: ____ back.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is heard in «Take Me Out to the Ball Game.» The four answers are Cracker Jack, home team, old ball game and peanuts.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is Olympic snowboarding events. The four answers are big air, giant slalom, halfpipe and slopestyle.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is Vince Carter, informally. The four answers are Air Canada, Half-Man, Half-Amazing, VC and Vinsanity.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ back. The four answers are diamond, drop, quarter and razor.

Technologies

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Answers for Wednesday, Feb. 18

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for Feb. 18.

Looking for the most recent Mini Crossword answer? Click here for today’s Mini Crossword hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Wordle, Strands, Connections and Connections: Sports Edition puzzles.

Today’s Mini Crossword is a fun one, and it’s not terribly tough. It helps if you know a certain Olympian. Read on for all the answers. And if you could use some hints and guidance for daily solving, check out our Mini Crossword tips.

If you’re looking for today’s Wordle, Connections, Connections: Sports Edition and Strands answers, you can visit CNET’s NYT puzzle hints page.

Read more: Tips and Tricks for Solving The New York Times Mini Crossword

Let’s get to those Mini Crossword clues and answers.

Mini across clues and answers

1A clue: ___ Glenn, Olympic figure skater who’s a three-time U.S. national champion
Answer: AMBER

6A clue: Popcorn size that might come in a bucket
Answer: LARGE

7A clue: Lies and the Lying ___ Who Tell Them» (Al Franken book)
Answer: LIARS

8A clue: Close-up map
Answer: INSET

9A clue: Prepares a home for a new baby
Answer: NESTS

Mini down clues and answers

1D clue: Bold poker declaration
Answer: ALLIN

2D clue: Only U.S. state with a one-syllable name
Answer: MAINE

3D clue: Orchestra section with trumpets and horns
Answer: BRASS

4D clue: «Great» or «Snowy» wading bird
Answer: EGRET

5D clue: Some sheet music squiggles
Answer: RESTS

Technologies

The Witcher 3, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Bring the Heat to Xbox Game Pass

Two amazing games will be available soon for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.

The second half of February and early March could be considered one of the best stretches in recent memory for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, widely regarded as one of the best games of the past decade, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 headline a lineup that leans heavily into sprawling, choice-driven adventures but does throw in some football to mix things up a bit.

Xbox Game Pass offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, smart TV, PC or mobile device, with prices starting at $10 a month. While all Game Pass tiers offer you a library of games, Game Pass Ultimate ($30 a month) gives you access to the most games, as well as Day 1 games, meaning they hit Game Pass the day they go on sale.

Here are all the latest games subscribers can play on Game Pass. You can also check out other games the company added to the service in early February, including Madden NFL 26.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition

Available on Feb. 19 for Game Pass Ultimate and Premium Game Pass subscribers.

The Witcher 3 came out 10 years ago, and it’s still being praised as one of the best games ever made. To celebrate, developer CD Projekt Red is bringing over The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Complete Edition to Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers will be able to play The Witcher 3 and its expansions, Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine. Players once more take on the role of monster-slayer Geralt, who goes on an epic search for his daughter, Ciri. As he pieces together what happened to her, he comes across vicious monsters, devious spirits, and the most evil of humans who seek to end his quest.

Death Howl

Available on Feb. 19 for Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Death Howl is a dark fantasy tactical roguelike that blends turn-based grid combat with deck-building mechanics. Players move across compact battlefield maps, weighing positioning and card synergies to survive increasingly difficult encounters. Progression comes through incremental upgrades that reshape each run. Battles reward careful planning, as overextending or mismanaging your hand can quickly end a run.

EA Sports College Football 26

Available on Feb. 19 for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

EA Sports College Football 26 delivers a new take on college football gameplay with enhanced offensive and defensive mechanics, smarter AI and dynamic play-calling that reflects real strategic football systems. Featuring over 2,800 plays and more than 300 real-world coaches with distinct schemes, it offers expanded Dynasty and Road to Glory modes where team building and personnel decisions matter. On the field, dynamic substitutions, improved blocking and coverage logic make matches feel more fluid and tactical.

Dice A Million

Available on Feb. 25 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Dice A Million centers on rolling and managing dice to build toward increasingly higher scores. Each round asks players to weigh risk against reward, deciding when to bank points and when to push for bigger combinations. Progression introduces modifiers and new rules that subtly shift probabilities, making runs feel distinct while keeping the core loop focused on calculated gambling.

Towerborne

Available on Feb. 26 for Game Pass Ultimate, PC, and Premium Game Pass subscribers.

After months in preview, Towerborne will get its full release on Xbox Game Pass. The fast-paced action game blends procedural dungeons and light RPG progression, with players fighting through waves of enemies. You’ll unlock permanent upgrades between runs and equip weapons, spells and talents that change how combat feels each time. The core loop pushes risk versus reward as you dive deeper into tougher floors, adapting builds on the fly, and mastering movement and timing to survive increasingly chaotic battles.

Final Fantasy 3

Available on March 3 for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Another Final Fantasy game is coming to Xbox Game Pass. This time, it’s Final Fantasy 3, originally released on the Famicom (the Japanese version of the NES) back in 1990. Since then, Final Fantasy 3 has been ported to a slew of devices and operating systems, including the Nintendo Wii, iOS and Android. Now, you’ll be able to play on your Xbox or PC with a Game Pass subscription. A new group of heroes is once again tasked with saving the world before it’s covered in darkness. Four orphans from the village of Ur find a Crystal of Light in a secret cave, which tasks them as the new Warriors of Light. They’ll have to stop Xande, an evil wizard looking to use the power of darkness to become immortal.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Available on March 3 for Game Pass Ultimate, Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers.

Last year was stacked with amazing games, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 was one of the best. Developer Warhorse Studios’ RPG series takes place in the real medieval kingdom of Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic, and tasks players with a somewhat realistic gaming experience where you have to use the weapons, armor and items from those times. The sequel picks up right after the first game (also on Xbox Game Pass) as Henry of Skalitz is attacked by bandits, which starts a series of events that disrupts the entire country.

Games leaving Game Pass in February

For February, Microsoft is removing four games. If you’re still playing them, now’s a good time to finish up what you can before they’re gone for good on Feb. 28.

For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now, and check out our hands-on review of the gaming service. You can also learn about recent changes to Game Pass.